Lake Central junior catcher Madi Wainwright always makes herself heard on the softball field.
The Indiana recruit’s production is one thing. Her voice is another.
“One of my goals that I always try to achieve on the field is being the loudest,” Wainwright said. “I love being the loudest on the field.
“I want to be a leader. I want them to learn from me, but I can also learn from them. I want to be a loud and vocal leader.”
That has worked well for Wainwright, who was voted to be a team captain as a sophomore last season along with then-senior Kate Renschen, who is a freshman at Northwestern. Wainwright took on that role even though she was splitting time behind the plate with then-senior Izzy Calinski, who is a freshman at Dayton.
“It was a big deal, a big honor,” Wainwright said. “It definitely said a lot. Even the upperclassmen were choosing an underclassman as a captain. I was like, ‘Wow, that says a lot.’ It was a good feeling for me because people hear me on the field, they hear my leadership, and I want to be here, and I want to be here for the team.
“It’s an honor. Knowing that the girls trust me and I can trust them, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Wainwright is a captain again with senior Lexi Iwema, who also is an Indiana recruit, and senior Tegan Tripp, a Virginia Tech recruit.
“She’s a really vocal person, a really good teammate,” Tripp said of Wainwright. “She does a really good job controlling the field behind the plate. She’s a really good person, super supportive. She’s always in the dugout cheering you on. She’ll never be quiet.
“She’s super motivated. She works really hard on the field, off the field, working out — all that stuff.”
Lake Central coach Yvette Tovar also highlighted Wainwright’s well-rounded approach.
“She’s a player and a student of the game,” Tovar said. “Madi has been an outstanding leader and captain for our program. She brings a determined, competitive edge every day and works harder than most high school athletes.
“Madi holds herself to a high standard, and as a captain, she isn’t afraid to hold her teammates to that same standard, which has made a huge impact on our team culture.”
Wainwright has also made an impact with her production. She hit .512 with two homers, 19 RBIs and four runs scored in 43 at-bats as a freshman. Last season, she hit .348 with a homer, 17 RBIs and 11 runs scored in 66 at-bats.
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Wainwright, who went 2-for-4 with a run scored as the Indians opened this season with a victory against Munster, said she’s looking for a big-time breakout offensively.
“My main goal this year is to know I’m a dominant hitter and trust myself and be more confident,” she said. “I want to get to the point where it’s like, ‘Oh, Madi Wainwright’s up to bat, watch out.’
“There’s always room for improvement, and I want people to fear me when I step into the box. Everyone’s hitting mentality on our team should be like, ‘I’m better than the pitcher. You’re not striking me out. I’m getting a hit.’”
Wainwright should have plenty of chances. She’s relishing her first opportunity to be the Indians’ clear-cut No. 1 catcher.
“I’ve been ready for it,” she said. “My sophomore year, I was itching for it. I wanted to get out there. I was ready for it. First game this year, I was ready for it. I wasn’t nervous at all. I was like, ‘No, it’s my time. It’s my time to shine. I’ve been waiting two years for it. It’s my turn.’”
Tovar has no doubt Wainwright is ready to shine.
“She’s going to be a big staple for us this season,” Tovar said. “Madi has grown tremendously since last season, and we believe she still has a lot of her best softball ahead of her. We’re excited to see what she accomplishes the rest of this season and into next year.
“Behind the plate, she is vocal, confident and in control of the game. Her presence is felt both on and off the field because of her energy and leadership. Offensively, she has been a consistent hitter for us and an aggressive base runner who is always looking to make something happen.”
Lake Central junior pitcher Maddie Such, a Kentucky recruit, also has the utmost belief in Wainwright’s ability. They’ve been best friends for almost a decade, and Wainwright said they’re together “like 24/7.”
“I absolutely adore Madi Wainwright,” Such said. “I’ve been friends with her forever, and I love having an amazing pitcher-and-catcher connection with her. Knowing that she’s my best friend on and off the field is a dream. I couldn’t ask for a better relationship with someone the way me and Wainwright are. She’s always there for my ups and downs and holds me accountable.
“Always been super appreciative of the work she puts in with me. Knowing that not only are we best friends, but our families have a close relationship with each other, they’ve always encouraged us to be the best we can possibly be. Forever will love that girl through thick and thin and can’t wait to see what happens this season with us.”
The Indians continue to harbor aspirations for the Class 4A state title. But Wainwright said they’ve refocused on the process.
“The goal is a state championship,” she said. “Of course, that’s our team’s main goal. But another main goal is playing for our seniors. We want our seniors to make it to the state championship. We want them to have that trophy.
“Another main goal is just having fun and playing for each other. That’s what it’s all about. Softball is a game. You’re supposed to have fun with it.”
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